The late U.S. pop icon Michael Jackson's personal physician on Tuesday denied any wrongdoing in the superstar's June 2009 death, insisting his innocence.
Saying that he is an "innocent man," Conrad Murray pleaded not guilty to an involuntary manslaughter charge stemming from the singer's death. "Your honor, I am an innocent man. I, therefore, plead not guilty," the cardiologist told Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael E. Pastor at his arraignment.
Pastor set March 28 as the date when the trial could begin.
Both sides are due back at the downtown Los Angeles courthouse on Feb. 7 for a hearing that is expected to include a decision on whether television coverage will be allowed in court for the trial, with the judge indicating that he is inclined to permit a TV camera in court.
"Dr. Murray is looking forward to the opportunity to finally tell his side of the story," Murray's defense attorney Ed Chernoff said outside the courthouse.
The doctor does not have to appear at next month's hearing, Chernoff said, as he "still has a medical license in Texas and Nevada and he's going to keep treating patients until that changes. "
Murray, 57, was ordered on Jan. 11 to stand trial on the felony charge, with Pastor ruling that there was sufficient evidence to require him to proceed to trial after a six-day preliminary hearing in which the prosecution called 22 witnesses.
Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter. If convicted, he could spend four years behind bars.
Jackson died on June 25, 2009 when he was busy rehearsing for his comeback London concerts at his rented Holmby Hills estate. The King of Pop was ruled by the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office as having died from acute propofol intoxication. The potent sedative is generally used in a hospital and clinical setting.
Paramedics who responded to the scene said the superstar appeared to have already been dead 20 minutes to an hour. Murray collected medical vials and instructed Alberto Alvarezto, one of Jackson's security employees, to remove a bag from an IV stand near Jackson's body before asking him to call 911, the security man testified at the preliminary hearing.